krantz



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

1i. 0. KRANTZ.

FOLDING 0R GOLLAPSIBLE MODEL. No. 524,855. Patented Aug. 21, 1894.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.-

Patented Aug. 21, 1894.

P. 0. KRANTZ. FOLDING 0R GOLLAPSIBLE MODEL.

UNITED STATES PATENT OE IcE.

FELIX CONSTANTIN KRANTZD, OF DRESDEN, GERMANY, AssIeNoR TO EUGEN FRIEDRICH ERIEsE AND JESOO LE KONSTANTIN VON PUTTKAMER, 0F

SAME PLACE. I I

FOLDING ORC OLLAPSIBLEMODEL SPECIFIGATIONforming part of Letters Patent No. 524,855, datedAugust 21, 1894.

Application filed March 15, 1894;. Serial No. 503,786- (No'modeL) To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FELIX CONSTANTIN KRANTZ, a subject of theaEmperor of Germany, residing at Dresden, Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding or Collapsible Models, of which the following is a specification.

The folding models or toy buildings which are the subject of this invention, contrary to the similar toys which have no use and serve no purpose apart from attractive appearance, represent and constitute a game or amusement which isin itself an occupation. The toys referred to consist of a number of separate articles or objects, ranged one behind the other, but flat in themselves; whereas those constructed according to this invention are really plastic models possessing form and sub stance, and without any reverse side. The

former, in a certain manner, present only an apology for relief, while the latter give its actual realization and presentment. The former, by the association and union of parts which go to make the so-called raised or elevated pictures, have developed into books;

the latter enable me to give perfect representations in wood, paste-board, or papier mach of the costly, troublesome and spacious fortresses, houses and buildings of' cities, as

they exist, and, like them, supply a genuine occupation, in the form of an amusement or game. I

The application of my invention which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings,

3 5 by Way of example, is intended to represent a railway station as the central idea of a proposed game with railway-carriages, wagons, omnibuses, human figures, 650., and these lay the foundation and furnish the stage or 40 scene for an actual game to be played, not

merely something to be looked at and admired. In a similar manner, I have it in contemplation to develop a street, busy with traffic of all kinds, barracks with soldiers of all arms, and more of the same kind. The

modelsfold up after the manner of a pocketmap or plan, a folding panorama, a Leporello album, and the like; they may be joined at one end to a book-cover with a view to their being folded inside the same; or also joined to the bottom of a box or case. The former is supposed to be the case in the accompanying drawings, in which 7 Figure l is a general perspective view of the folding model, and Figs. 2 and 3 cross sections showing the nature and method of the folding devices.

On one edge of the book-cover is fixed (by means of a linen or equivalent strip) with a hinge or flexible joint the vertical wall B, consisting of several leaves or sections b also united to each other by hinge-joints. To the lower edge of B are similarly attached, on

both sides, with hinge-joints the leaves or ure or framework is formed, in the shape of an inverted Tin cross section (Fig. 2), which forms the skeleton of the building. The side-walls d of the finished building are hinged together and to the leaves or sections a and the roofs d are also hinged together and to the leaves or sections b. The neces sarily greater breadth of the roof-sections d as compared with the ground sections inclosed between the vertical sections b and d, consequent on and proportionate to their inclined position, would prevent the proper folding of the parts together, the one over the other, but for the provision of an extra folding joint at cl (Figs. 2 and 3). By means of this additional fold, the entire structure collapses in the form and position shown in Fig. 3 in section (somewhat after the fashion of an umbrella frame). In point of length d and (1' must correspond to the length of a single leaf or section of B or C or be slightly smaller; thus in the prolonged structure constituting the station in this illustration, the parts cl and d are arranged in accordance with the sections 17 and o. The gable-ends e serve to stifien and support the model when duly expanded and set up, being hinged on the sections 1), and they can be utilized as doors in the game.

In Fig. 1 the parts to the right of the central wall B of the model represent the outside or the street side, those to the left the inner or platform side of the rail-way station. The

former can be used, in the game, for road-ve- [0O hicles, & c.; thelatter for the trains of rail-' way carriages with locomotives, &c. The model gives occasion for manifold suggestions and occupation for children; and the same holds good, naturally, for similar models representing buildings, &:c.,of other and various kinds, suchas already mentioned.

Extremely attractive and interesting effects are readily obtainable by means of partial openings in the walls. Thus, forexample, by means of door and window openings arranged in the central wall B, views can be given, from the platform-side into waiting rooms, telegraph-offices, &c., for which the walls (1 on the side of the street may furnish suitable backgrounds. Similarly the book-- cover A, which serves to stiffen and sustain, the entire structure of the model may be utilized, on its rear or inner side, 'i. e., the side turned toward the station, for appropriate backgrounds, pictures or decorations, representing supplementary details of scenery and efiects, as shown in Fig.1.

As regards the folding together or collapse of the model structure, in the first place, the various sections or leaves representing the ground are turned up in the direction of the arrows 1 (Fig. 2) toward the central wall B; whereupon the joints d become doubled inward and the roof sections fold in the direction shown by the arrows2 and 3, the outerv or lower parts pivoting, as it were, on their centers, in the direction indicated by the ar- 1 rows 4, while the side walls d fold up against the sections a, as shown by the arrows 5. In 1 this manner, the several parts or sections as- 1 roofs of thebuildingjointed together as well asto the ground and central wall respectively, the whole being practically destituteofany reverse side substantially as setforth.

2..In a folding or collapsiblemodel or. toy, the combination of a folding cover, a central vertical wall B hingedto said cover and consisting of several leaves or sections b, hinged together, and the ground or floor 0 consisting of leaves or sections 0, hinged together'and to the central wall B on both sides thereof, all as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand in the presence of the two subscribing witnesses.

FELIX CONSTANTIN KRANTZ.

Witnesses:

OTTO WOLFE, HUGO DUMMER,

Both of Dresden. 

